General update
Voluntary unemployment beckons! I did try the job for a while longer, and kept a fairly open mind about sticking at it (my boss really is great) but I'll be finishing less than a month from now. The only question that remains is whether I'll be allowed to keep the door slightly open to return, as my boss has applied for me to go on 2 years' unpaid leave, instead of actually having to resign. That would mean I could come back more easily in future - and I think I probably will try to do that in around 12-18 months' time, albeit probably seeking to optimise for 'fun'/interest rather than grade/salary - but will leave next month either way. I guess I'm seeing it as a career break/sabbatical for now more so than full-on career hari-kari.
Replies to commenters
ertyu wrote: ↑Wed Sep 16, 2020 5:37 am
I dislike CBT with extreme prejudice but I’m looking forward to seeing if any of the other things make a difference for you
Ha, well honestly anti-anxiety pills have had the most tangible and immediate effect. I wasn't really expecting them to make me feel better - just duller inside - but it's a much sharper difference than I anticipated. In terms of the longer-term things, early indications are that meditation seems to sit well with me, as do cold showers. Journalling, affirmations, gratitude less so. CBT - we'll find out, but I was referred to an online course which has been no great shakes so far.
Fiddle wrote: ↑Sat Sep 19, 2020 3:23 pm
Hey Egg,
Sounds like you've got some ideas to help you during the next few months.
Good luck and go easy on yourself.
Thanks, Fiddle. Will do!
Lemur wrote: ↑Sat Sep 19, 2020 6:10 pm
This last page was interesting. It reminded me of the life change post COVID where I started working from home daily. Funny enough my marriage has gotten much stronger since. Before ...home was just a place I came home to eat and sleep...not much energy to manage my toddler. Now that I am home, I can balance my son with my spouse whom previously did it on her own while running a home business. Everything is just so much better...I get to see my son, I get to see the pride of my wife and I both ‘hustling’ and saving money together, I get better sleep. May your experience be the same. I would trade no amount of promotion or money to leave this situation...well maybe I would but it would take a LOT of golden nuggets.
Ah, I'd had quite a bit of opportunity to work from home even before COVID, but agree it is great its own way. I used to mix wfh and mega-commuting (meetings in either London or internationally, both of which took hours to get to) so the main benefit to me has been dropping the commute to meetings part. Really looking forward to actually spending a decent amount of 'quality' time with wife and kid(s) without distraction of being online/thinking about work, though. Thanks for the comment.
guitarplayer wrote: ↑Wed Sep 16, 2020 4:58 am
I'm rooting for you Egg!
Recalling your journal, I think you are imaginative enough to find a way to make money (and probably lots of it) later on when desired, if deciding to quit the current one in ~3 months. And you have a house that is paid off, I think the situation where you'd struggle with money would be very unlikely.
It would be a great lifestyle change though!
Thanks for the support and vote of confidence

I'm not sure being a public sector employee is the height of financial imagination, but agree we should all be okay financially, touch wood.